BEIJING - China's Ministry of Education on Monday, issued a circular on legal education for teachers in primary and middle schools, after a nationwide spate of child molestation.

The circular said that primary and middle school teachers should receive at least 10 class hours of legal education each year via symposiums, reports and seminars.

The circular urged that teachers should learn the laws and regulations on protection of juveniles, improve respect and care for students, and strengthen their abilities to protect students from assault.

All principals and teachers in primary and middle schools across the country should finish their legal education in three years, the circular said.

China has seen multiple reports of teachers molesting or raping students in this year, sparking concerns about the safety of students and calls for strict management of teaching staff.

In a recent case, a primary school teacher in East China's Jiangxi province was sentenced to 14 years in jail on October 18 for molesting seven of his female pupils.